Maritime resource management: current training approaches and potential improvements

Shipping can be regarded as a high-risk domain with a large complexity in operations. Accidents and incidents may involve serious danger for seafarers and passengers, as well as for the environment and society at large. Education and training play a crucial role for the safe conduct of ships. While technical skills have been at the core of a mariner’s skillset, non-technical skills (NTS) have become increasingly important for the safe conduct of merchant vessels. Therefore, knowledge in NTS has become a mandatory requirement for officers serving on board. This knowledge is normally taught in courses labelled Bridge Resource Management, Engine room Resource Management, or Maritime Resource Management. While the number of courses in the industry is steadily increasing, research focused on NTS training and its relation to safety in operation seems sparse. This review article aims to provide an overview of scientific literature focused on training NTS for maritime operations published between 2000 and 2018. Based on the reviewed literature the article identifies and discusses current research gaps, trends and potential future directions to improve maritime resource management training.